Feeder and scales



pril- 14, 1925.

FEEDER AND SCALES Filed Oct 5, 1924' MW" i 1 235 Q mm N .V. N a w w m 0m 6mm w m .IXQ .Nm 8; w E W J n N m m N T L m M,

ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 14, 1925.

U'NETED STATES JAMES A. NOLAN; 01E BOWERSTON, OHIO.

FEEDER ann scenes;

Applieation filed. October 3, 1924. Serial No. 741,438.

To all 107mm it may concern:

Be itknown that 1, JAMES A. NOLAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bowerston, in. the county of Harrison and State of Ohio, have invented new and useful Improvements in Feeders and Scales, of

which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to car handling means, and more particularly to what I term feeder and scales adapted for weighing cars of coal and feeding the same to a dump, cage or similar structure.

One of the main objects of the invention is to provide a feeder of simple and efiicient construction whereby cars can be out out cars to be weighed will be held upon the scales by horns or stops on the track and spaced away from the scales so as to relieve the scales of all jars or racking such as occurs when the stops are located on the scale section of the track. the present invention is an improvement over the apparatus disclosed in niy Patent 1,469,680 for feeding and weighing device issued OctoberQ, 1923. Further objects will appear from the detail description.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a top plan view of the apparatus;

FigureQ is a section taken. substantially on line 22 of Fig. 1;

Figure 8 is a section taken substantially on line of Fig. 1; v

Figure l is a section taken substantially on line 1-4c of Fig. 1;

Figure 5 is asection taken substantially on line of Fig. 1;

Figure 6 is a section taken. substantially on line 6-43 of Fig, 1;

Figure 7 is a diagram showing how the apparatus can be used with a rotary dump.

The apparatus is intended for use in con nection with a dump or similar structure of any suitableor preferred type, the dump illustrated in this particular instance be- In this respect ing a tilting dump of known construction which may be provided with any suitable or preferred type of car stops which act, in a known manner, to stop the cars and hold them upon the dump during the dumping operation, the cars being released when the dump returns to leading position so that the empty car can be pushed off of the dump by an entering loaded car, which loaded car is stopped on the dump by the stops during the dumping operation. There are various types and arrangements of dump stops of this general character and it is not thought necessary to illustrate and describe the same in detail. In some instances, as where the cars are fed onto the dump without uncoupling the cars, the use of stops on the dump may not be necessary. The dump A is provided with rail sections a which are aligned when the dump is in loading position with the rail sections of an approach track E which is-inclineddownwardly toward the dump, and with a receiving track, (not shown), provided at the other end of the dump for reception of the empty cars. This construction and arrangement of the dump and the approach and receiving tracks is well known in this art and need not be further described in detail.

The approach track E is formed of an up per trip section f, a central scale section 9 which is positioned above a pit for vertical movement and is connected to scales or weighing apparatus in a known manner, and a lower or inner section h. A rocker shaft 1 is rockably mounted centrally of track E in suitable bearings secured to the ties of the track, this shaft being held against eiidwise movement and being free to turn in either direction in its bearings. Shaft 1 is provided, at its inner end, with a crank arm 2 secured thereto, this arm being provided with a finger 3 which projects through a U-shaped bracket 4 secured to the underneath of dump A. \Vhen the dump is tilted into dumping position bracketi contacts with finger 3 and. turns crank 2, and consequently shaft 1, a predetermined distance in one direction, and when the dump returns to loading position, the dump strikes finger 3 so as to depress the same and turn the shaft in the oppositewdirection. A sleeve 5 is secured to shaft 1 and is connected to inner horns or stops 6 which are rockably mounted on supporting bars 7 mounted through. hearing blocks 8 secured to the rails of the track section 72. stops 6 being normally held in their outer or operative posi tion by cushion springs mounted about supportiir; bars 7 and confined between the stops and the inner bearing blocks 8. As will be noted more clearly from Fig. 1, each stop (3 is provided with an extension 6 of such length as to projec' above or outwardly beyond the inner end portion of scale section g of the track. The steps 6 are rockably mounted intermediate their ends and have their lower ends connected by links 10 1 projecting from sleeve 5 in such to arms 1!. a manner that the steps will be opened when the dump returns to leading position and closed when the dump turns into dumping position.

Shaft 1 extends above scale section 5 of the track but is not connected thereto so that this section has vertical n'iovement independently or the rest ot the track. A sleeve 12 is loosely mounted on shaft 1 adjacent the outer end thereof, this sleeve beingmounted for turning; and sliding movement on the shaft. Sleeve 12 is connected by tingers 13 and linlzs 1-l to outer trip holding steps 15 roclrahly mounted intermediate their ends upon bars 16 supported in bearing blocks 17 secured to the rails or track section 7. These stops are normally held in their outer position by cushion springs 18 mounted about rods 16 and confine-d between the stops and the inner beari blocks 17. A collar 1!) secured on the shaft adjacent to the inner end of sleeve 12 and is provided with an arm or rain 20 whit-in when the slewc and coil are in operative relation extends about the sleeve concentric therewith and beneath. a ill 21 which pro jects from the sleeve and to whicl is secured a tension spring the outer end of which is secured to the adjacent rail of section of track E. This spring acts to turn sleeve 12 in stop-closing direction when the sleeve is released from arm 20.

clevis is secured to the sleeve and an expansion spring 2-1: is mounted about the end portion of shaft 1 within the clevis 23, this spring eing confined between sleeve 12 and a. collar 25 adjustably secured on the shaft by a set screw, or in any other suitable or pretcrred i'nanncr, to vary the compression of the spring as desired. Clovis '23 is connected by a lcno'th 01'' chain 26 or other suitable flexible connection to one end of a linl: 27 the other end of which is loosely secured through arm 28 ot a trip lever pivoted at on a supporting plate or bracket 30 secured to the adjacent rail of track section 7, or in any other suitable or preferred manner. Outer arm 28" of trip lever 28 extends across the adjacent rail in position to he engaged by the wheel of a car traveling on trac r s ction f. ll hen the dump turns into dun'iping position the inner stops 3 are closed and the outer trip holdi stops 15 are opened by mez'ins oi? the or ing arm 20 0t collar 19. This permii front car 01? the trip to pass between E s 15 and travel onto scale section ot the track, on which section the car is held a; the extensions (5" of stops (l so as to perm weighing of the car. The 'iollowingg r1 the trip operates lever so as to 1K clovis and arm 12 pulling; the .itzui L outwardly out of engagement with arm ill). This permits spring 252 to turn sleeve i stop-closing direction thus closing:- stops 1 and holding back the trip. During; lit

l dumping operation and after stops 15 have been closed, stud 21 contacts with the outer face of arm 20 which is disposed concentric with sleeve 12 and is of such length cirmuuterentially or the sleeve to prevent stud 21 from passing beneath arm 20, arm 20 being held in raised position as lone as the inner stops 6 are closed. Upon return. of the dump to loading position shaft 1 is turned in proper direction to open stops (3 thus permitting the car on the scale section g/ to travel by gravity onto the dump, the entering loaded car pushing: the empty car otl' ot the dump. ll hen the shaft 1 is turned to open stops 6 upon return of the dump to loading position. collar 19 is turned with the shaft so as to bring arm 20 beneath stud 21 and sleeve 12 is returned to its uorn'ial operative position by the action of spring 241'. li hen the dump again turns into dumping position stops (3 are closed and stops 15 are opcneth in the manner previousl F described, and the trout car of the trip is ted onto scale section o. the 'l'ollowiug car of the trip closirur the stops 1% in the manner des: -i',ibe(l. This operation is repeatetl ce'r-utinuously as long}; as the dump is in operation thus providing very simple and highly ellieient means to automatically cutting cars out of the trip, weighing these cars and then feeding: them onto the dump. As the stops (3 are closed and the trip stops are opened during the (lumpingoperation and stops 6 are opened iu'nnediatelv upon return 01'? the dump to loading); position this apparatus is capable of :leeding cars to the dump much taster than aru mratuses uow conunonly in use tor this purpose thus c tecting a material savingin time which of ii'nportance in handling cars in min operations.

To permit sliding movement ot sleeve 1:33 on shaft 1, each o t the lillliS i l is provided on inner end with an elongated il-sl innit head 14. in the arms of which is secured a heavy pin 14-" which passes loosely through the outer end of linger 13.

This connection permits the necessary sliding: movement of sleeve 1:? without in any we; interfering with the proper o 'icration oi stops 1; this result can be accomplished by other means lht) which would be obvious to one skilled in this art, though I ordinarily prefer to employ the means illustrated and described. While the apparatus is intended more particularly for use in connection with a scales or weighing means, this apparatus is also well suited for use as a feeder without the scales.

In Fig. 7 I have indicated the manner in which the apparatus can be applied to a rotary dump. The dump B is of known construction and isturned about asubstantially horizontal axis in a known manner, the means for rotating dumps of this type being well known in this art. The dump is provided, at the end thereof adjacent the approach track, with a channel ring 31 having an otl'set or cam portion This ring receives pin 3 of crank 2. hen dump it returns to loading position pin 8 enters cam portion 32 so as to be depressed thereby thus turning shaft 1 in inner stop opening direction, and as the dump turns into dumping position pin 3 passes out of cam portion 32 into the main channel of the rin 31. This raises pin 3 turning shaft 1 in inner stop closing direction, and as the dump again returns to loading position pin 3 enters cam portion turning shaft 1 in inner stop opening direction. This operation is repeated (hiring operation of the dump, thus providing simple and highly efiicient means whereby loaded cars are automatically cut out of thetrip, weighed and then ted to the dump.

As will be obvious, and as above indicated, changes in construction and arrangement of parts of the invention may he resorted to without departing from the'field and scope of the same, and I intend toinclude all such variations, as fall within the scope of the appended claims. in this application in which a preferred form only of my invention disclosed.

hat I claim is 1. In car handling means, in. combination with a dump provided with car receiving means, and an approachtrack leading to the dump, inner stops mounted on the approach track, outer trip iolding stops mounted on the track beyond said inner stops, means for closing the inner stops as the. dump moves into dumping position and opening said inner stops as the dump roturns to leading position, means for opening the outer trip holding stops as the inner stops are closed, and means for closing said outer stops independently'of the inner stops and utter a car has passed between the outer trip holding stops toward the inner stops.

2. In car handling means, in combination with a dump provided with car receiving means, and an approach track leading to the dump, inner stops and outer stops on the approach track, means for closing the inner stops and opening the outer stops as the dump moves into dumping position and for opening said inner stops as the dump re turns to leading position, and means for closing said outer stops independently of the inner stops after a car has passed between the outer stops.

3. In car handling means, in combination with a dump provided with car receiving means, and an approach track leading tothe dump, inner stops and outer stops on the approach track, dump actuated means for closing theinner stops and opening the-outer stops as the dump moves into dumping position and for opening said inner stops as the dump returns to loading position, and car actuated means for closing said outer stops independently of the inner stops after a car has passed between the outer stops,

l. In car handling means, in. combination with a dump provided with car receiving means, and an approach track leading to the dump, a rocker shaft, inner stops on the track, operating connections between said shaft for opening the stops when the shaft is turned in one direction and closing the stops when said shaft is turned in the other direction, means for turning said shaft in stopopening direction as the dump moves into loading position and in: stop-closing direction as the dump moves into dumping position, outer stops on the track beyond said inner stops, cooperating means carried by the shaft and connected to the outer stops tor opening the same when said shaft is turned in inner stop-closing direction, and means for releasing the outer stops and closing them independently ot the shaft when a car has passed between said outer stops.

5. In car handling means, in combination with a dump provided with car receiving means, and an approach track leading to the dump, a rocker shaft, inner stops on the track, operating connections between said shaft for opening the stops when the shaft is turned in one direction and closing the stops when said shaft is turned in the other direction, means for turning said shaft in stop-opening direction. as the dump moves into loading position and in stopclosing direction as the dump moves into dumping position, outer stops on the track beyond said inner stops, cooperating means carried by the shaft and connected to the outer stops for opening the same when said shaft is turned in inner stop-closing direction, and car actuated means for releasing the outer stops and closing them independently of the shaft when a car has passed between said outer stops.

6. In car handling means, in combination with'a dump provided with car receiving means, and an approach track leading to the dump, a rocker shaft, inner stops on the track, operating connections between said shaft for opening the stops when the shaft is turned in one direction and closing the stops when said shaft is turned in the other direction, means for turning said shaft in stop-opening direction as the damp moves into leading position and in stepclosing direction as the dump moves into dumping position, outer stops on the track beyond said inner stops, a sleeve mounted to turn on the shaft, connections between said sleeve and the oute' stops for opening and closing the lat er in accor ance with turning of the sleeve, means for connecting the sleeve to the shaft and turning it in stop-opening; direction when said shait is turned in inner stop-closing direction, means urging the outer stops in closing direction, and means for reieasin said sleeve from the shaft to permit closing of said outer stops after a car has passed between said outer stops.

7. In car handling means, in combination with a dump provided with car receiving means, and an approach track leading to the dump, a rocker shaft, inner stops on the track, operating connections between said shaft for opening the stops when "the shaft is turned in one direction and closing the stops when the shaft is turned in the other direction, means for tn 'nin said shaft in stop-opening direction as the dump moves into leading position and in stop'closinp; direction as the dump moves into dumping position, outer stops on the track beyond said inner steps, a sleeve mounted to turn on the shaft, connections between said sleeve and the outer stops for opening and closing the latter in accordance with turning of the sleeve, means for connecting); the sleeve to the shaft and turning it in stop-opening diection when said shaft is turned in inner stop-closing direction, means urging the enter stops in closing direction, and car actuated means for releasing said sleeve from the shaft to permit closing of said outer stops after a car has passed between said outer stops.

8. In car handling means, in combination with a dump provided with car receving means, and an approach track leading to the dump, a rocker shaft, inner stops on the track, operating connections between said shaft for opening the stops when the shaft is turned in one direction and closing the stops when the shaft is turned in the other direction, means for turning said shaft in stop-opening direction the dump mo into loading position and in stop-closing direction as the dump moves into dumping position, outer stops on the track beyond said inner stops, a sleeve loosely and slidahly mounted on the shaft, connections between said sleeve and the outer stops for op ning and closing the latter in accordance with turning of the sleeve, an operating arm secured on the shaft and extending in the direction of the sleeve, the sleeve being provided with an element extending across said arm and so related thereto as to turn said sleeve in stop-opening direction nhen said shaft turned in inner stop-chasing direction, rneans urging the sleeve in stopclosing direction, means for normally holding the sleeve in operative relation to the arm, and means for releasing said sleeve from the arm to permit closing of the outer stops when a car has passed between the same, said arm eiitendi about the sleeve a tance ater than the dis'ance throu 'rh which s: .d sleeve is turned in step closing direction.

9. In car handling means, in combination with a dump provided with car receiving means, and an approach track leading to the dump, a rocker shaft, inner stops on the track, or eratingz' connectlons letwcen sri shaft for opening the stops when the i turned in one direction and closing when the shaft is turned in the ction, means for turning said V r position, outer stops on the track beyond said inner steps, a sleeve loosely slidahl mounted on the shaft, connections lwtween said sleeve and the outer stops for openii and closing the latter in accordance with turningof the sleeve, an operating arm secured on the shaft and encoding: in the direction of the sleeve, the sleeve being provided with an element extending across said arm and so related thereto as to turn said sleeve in stop openingdirection when said shaft is turned in inner stop closing direction, means urging the sleeve in stop closing direction, means urging the sleeve toward said arm, a trip lever on the tract: beyond the trip stops and positioned to be tripped by a car traveling on the track, and connections between said lever and the sleeve for moving said sleeve out of engagement with the arm when the lever is tripped, said arm extending about the leeve a distance greater than the distance through which said sleeve is turned in stop closing direction.

10. In car handling means. in coi'nbination with a dump provided with car receivi 1g means, and an approacl'i track lead to the dump, inner mounted on the tracli, means for closing he inne stops and opening the outer stops as the dump moves into dumping position and for closing the inner stops independent 1 of said outer stops as the dump returns to loading position, and means for closing the outer stops independently of the inner stops after a car has passed between saiu outer stops.

aseaeeo 11.1n car handling means, in combination with a dump provided with car receiving means, and an approach track leading to the dump, a rocker shaft on the approach track, inner stops on the track, connections between said stops and the shaft for opening and closing the stops in accordance with turning of the shaft, means for turning the shaft in stop closing direction when the dump moves into dumping position and in stop opening direction when the dump returns to loading position, outer-trip holding stops on the track beyond said inner stops, means for.operatively connecting the trip stops to said shaft in opposite relation to the inner stops when the shaft is turned in inner stop closing direction, and means for releasing said outer stops and closing them independently of the shaft after a car has passed between the outer steps.

12. In combination with a car receiving structure and an approach track leading thereto and including a movable scales section and inner and outer fixed sections at the ends of the movable section, stops mounted on one of the fixed sections and extending when in operative position above the scales section and in position to hold a car thereon, and means for moving said stops into and out of operative position in accordance with movement of said structure into dischargingand receiving position.

13. In combination with a car receiving structure and an approach track leading thereto and including a movable scales section and other sections leading to and from said scales section, stops mounted on one ofsaid other sections and adapted and dis-.

posed to extend inwardly of the scales sec tion to hold a car thereon when said stops are in operative position, and means for moving said stops into and out of operative position in accordance Withmovement of said structure into discharging and receiving position.

14. In combination with a car receiving structure and an approach track leading thereto and includinga movable scales section and other sections leading to and from said scales section, stops mounted on one of said other sections and adapted and disposed to extend inwardly of the scales section to hold a car thereon when said stops are in operative position, and means for feeding cars onto said scales section and for moving the stopsinto and out of operative position in accordance with movement of said structure into discharging and receiving position.

15. In combination with a car receiving structure and an approach track leading thereto and including a movable scales section and an outer section leading to said scales section and an inner section leading from the scales section to the car receiving structure, stops on the inner section positioned and adapted to extend inwardly of the scales section and to hold a car thereon when said stops are closed, and means for opening said stops when the receiving structure is in receiving position and for closing the stops and feeding cars onto said scales section when said car receiving structure moves into discharging position.

16. In car handling means, a track ineluding a movable scales section and other sections leading to and from said movable section, means for feeding cars onto the movable section, stops detached from the scales section and positioned and adapted to hold a car thereon when said stops are closed, and means for opening and closing said stops.

17. In car handling means, a track including a movable scales section and othersections leading to and from said movable section, stops detached from the scales section and positioned and adapted to hold a car thereon when said stops are closed, and means for opening'and closing said stops.

In testimony whereof I my signature.

JAMES A. NOLAN. 

